One of the important functions of the Musée de l’Automobile Henri Malartre is to maintain its collections in good condition. The team works on it every day, especially during the month of January when the museum is closed to the public during the week.

Alongside the work of the mechanics in keeping the cars in working order, the whole museum team, and particularly the reception staff, are responsible for maintaining the fabric of the vehicles.

Wood, leather, rubber, metal, plastics: a motor car is made up of a vast mix of materials, each of which has its own needs and maintenance techniques.

Thus wood and leather, being living materials, need feeding so as not to dry out, perish, break or split. Many accessories made of copper or brass (lamps, horns, pumps and boxes) have to be regularly polished to avoid oxidisation. The materials of the seats and roofs get dusty and have to be regularly vacuumed.